Vail Town Council Meeting Highlights
This is an unofficial summary of the meeting produced by the Communications Department. To read the official minutes please click here. Minutes are posted once they are approved.
Council Members Present
VLMD: Biszantz, Chapin, Foley, Langmaid, Phillips, Staufer (Davis absent)
Afternoon: Biszantz, Chapin, Davis, Foley, Langmaid, Phillips, Staufer (Davis late arrival)
Evening: Biszantz, Chapin, Davis, Foley, Langmaid, Phillips, Staufer
Presentations/Discussion/Announcements
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Appointments to the Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council
- Sitting as the Vail Local Marketing District, the board interviewed eight candidates for four vacancies on the Vail Local Marketing District Advisory Council. Patrick Davis, Kim Fuller, Jana Morgan and Cody Worden were appointed to two-year terms.
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Forest Service Update
- Eagle-Holy Cross District Ranger Leanne Veldhuis gave an update on the White River National Forest. Locally, funding is being sought for a permanent toilet at the Gore Creek Trailhead. Also, Red Sandstone Road continues to deteriorate and is down to bedrock in some places, making it difficult to grade. The two organizations will continue to work together on issues of mutual interest.
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Arrive Vail Update
- Public Works and Transportation Director Tom Kassmel brought the new council up to speed on the Arrive Vail project. The town has budgeted $1.5 million to complete the planning and design of the future expansion of the Vail Transportation Center. Half of the cost, up to $750,000, will be reimbursed as a part of the Multi Modal Option Fund Grant awarded to the town in the fall of 2022. The purpose of the project is to update and expand the facility to accommodate current and future needs. Phase II – Concept Design is now complete. The next step is to award Phase III – Schematic Design. Staff will return to a future council meeting with proposed costs and options to fully fund this next phase.
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Municipal Financing Tools Update
- Staff and representatives from Economic Planning Systems presented potential funding and financing tools for future projects. The educational session included a high-level overview of Downtown Development Authorities, General Improvement Districts, Public Improvement Fees and Urban Renewal Authorities as well as other funding sources. The Town Council will use the information as they undertake a strategic planning effort in January.
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Golf Club Gore Creek Enhancement Plan Discussion
- The Town of Vail and Vail Recreation District have prepared a draft Vail Golf Club Gore Creek Enhancement Plan as an addition to the Gore Creek Strategic Action Plan. The goal of the enhancement plan is to improve the health and vitality of Gore Creek and the surrounding ecosystem while maintaining or enhancing the golf course as a recreational and aesthetic community amenity. The Planning and Environmental Commission has forwarded a recommendation of adoption of the plan and as specific projects are initiated, decisions will come before the board. Council was supportive.
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Land Use Zoning Development Review Code Update
- The 2026 budget includes funds for a contract to assist with updates to the town’s zoning regulations, which date back to the incorporation of the town and requires a comprehensive update to remove inefficient, outdated language. Staff highlighted the areas needing updates. Council was supportive of moving forward with requesting qualifications from consultants for the project.
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Red Lion Permission to Proceed
- The owner of the Red Lion Inn Building is requesting permission to proceed through the development review process for use of town property for patio spaces as part of a potential redevelopment. Granting the permission to proceed does not confer any approvals toward the potential redevelopment. Council was supportive.
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Discussion on Ord. No. 32, Third Supplemental Budget of 2025
- Staff proposed minor amendments since the first reading of Ord. No. 32. Across all funds, the supplemental includes a net increase in expenditures totaling $6,424,281 to the 2025 budget. The majority of this amount, or $4,541,280, is attributed to expenditure increases previously approved by Council earlier in the year that now need to be caught up and reflected in the budget. Revenues across all funds are proposed to increase by $6,869,066 with the majority of adjustments coming from investment earnings, grants and Real Estate Transfer Tax collections. Council was supportive.
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Appeal of 534 East Lionshead Circle Application
- An adjacent property owner is appealing the Design Review Board approval of construction of a new multi-family development at 534 East Lionshead Circle. After hearing the appeal and the applicant’s response, Town Council was in favor of upholding the DRB decision. The item was tabled to allow for a draft resolution to be brought back on Jan. 6.
Town Manager Report
- An update on speed enforcement cameras now operating in two locations in town was included in the Town Manager Report. Slower speeds are being observed in both locations.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- There were no actions as a result of executive session.
Public Comment
- Tim McMahon thanked the Vail Police Department and the Vail Public Safety Communications Center for their response during a recent incident. He also mentioned that the map near the Tenth Mountain Memorial statue near the Covered Bridge is incorrect.
- Taylor Joseph Gardarian congratulated the new mayor and council. He reminded the town of his previous requests regarding a West Vail gondola.
- Jessie expressed his concerns with the town’s transportation permit fee.
- John Coyne expressed his concerns with the town’s transportation permit fee and feels Uber drivers are being treated unfairly compared to other transportation companies.
- Terry Cooley expressed his concerns with the town’s transportation permit fee as it pertains to rideshare drivers.
- Jonathan Levine is unhappy with the town’s transportation permit fee and the process that established it.
Actions/Decisions
- Approved Red Lion Permission to Proceed (7-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 32, Second Reading, Third Supplemental Budget of 2025 (7-0)
- Continued Appeal of Design Review Board Approval of 534 East Lionshead Circle Application to Jan. 6, 2026 (6-0, Phillips abstained)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Jan. 6
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Jan. 20
Resources
The Vail Town Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. Join us for public comment at 6 p.m. Public hearing and comment opportunities are also noted on the agendas.
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